10 Comments

You’re obviously concerned about your brother, and it’s sweet. Just make sure not to make him uncomfortable and his weight. But know that you’re definitely doing a really good thing.

Just casually mention that when you were his age, you were taking vitamins. Casually suggest that when you become a teenager, you need more vitamins. Go to the grocery store with him.

About which type of vitamins: at age 12, you’re fully grown enough to take adult vitamins. Just make sure that the vitamins don’t have more than 100% of anything (especially iron.) The B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavion, vitamin b6, b12) are important, as well as vitamins A, C, D, and E. A little calcium should be in there, but it would have to be the size of a horse pill to have 100%. Some iron should be in there as well. Zinc is a plus, but not a must.

And about the overeating-

It’s hard. You don’t want to make him feel bad about himself and his body image, but you want him to be healthy. And I can tell you aren’t image focused by your question: most people say "My sister is really heavy" or "my brother’s fat" and ask how to make them skinnier. You are asking about NUTRITION, which is what counts.

Make it casual. Make a fruit smoothie for yourself, and offer one to him. Eat with him, make sure to offer him the vegetables. What are his favorite foods?

Let’s say he loves mashed potatoes. If you stir-fry some spinach with some olive oil, onions, and garlic, then mix in it with the mashed potatoes, it’s totally yummy, while still being healthy.

Let’s say he loves pasta. Make some veggie pasta (any vegetable chopped up and mixed with pesto sauce, then dribbled over the pasta is delicious.)

I don’t know any meat recipes, as I’m a vegetarian, but I’m sure you can improvise.

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